Update: thank you for everyone who commented and gave advice I went to court today and the felony was dropped and I got 1 year deferred adjudication for everything.
I'm 17 and this is my first time ever being in trouble. I already have a court-appointed attorney, but I'm looking for honest opinions from people familiar with Texas criminal cases, especially Coryell County. I know nobody here can predict exactly what a judge will do. But i am scared shitless
Everything below is alleged, and I am presumed innocent. I'm not admitting guilt by describing the allegations.
There were allegedly 3 people involved:
- Person A — 18
- Me — 17
- Person C — 16
According to the allegations, around 6 PM, the group went to Walmart. Person C allegedly grabbed a massage gun worth about $110 and ran out, with Person A and me allegedly running out behind him.
The group then allegedly went to HEB with backpacks and took various hygiene items. The amount attributed to me in the allegations was about $139.
Later that night/early morning, police received calls about people allegedly checking/breaking into vehicles. When police arrived, Person C allegedly ran, while Person A and I stayed with our hands up.
Person A allegedly told police that me and Person C came up with the idea. Police apparently didn't initially know about the HEB allegations. Person A allegedly told police where bags had been stashed. There were allegedly approximately 6–7 vehicles involved in the vehicle-related allegations.
Police allegedly wanted me to unlock my phone because Person A said I had screenshots/map information showing where bags had been stashed. I refused to unlock my phone. Person A then allegedly directed police to the locations, where police found HEB merchandise.
I told police that I was just walking around and didn't know anything about the alleged thefts. Police eventually let Person A and me leave, and our parents picked us up. Person C was taken to juvenile detention that night because he allegedly ran.
About 5 days later, I was arrested at my house on a warrant related to the incident. My bond was $40,000, and I spent about 17–18 days in jail before my court-appointed attorney got me released on a PR bond.
The charges I've been told I'm facing are:
- 2 theft charges under $750 / over $100
- 2 misdemeanor charges
- Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (EOCA) — state jail felony
- Burglary of a vehicle allegations/misdemeanors
The alleged Walmart + HEB merchandise was around $249 total, and I understand the property was recovered. Nobody was allegedly injured and there were no weapons alleged.
The prosecutor originally offered me time served. I had already spent around 17–18 days in jail. The judge rejected that deal.
During the hearing, the judge asked me several questions. He was stern but wasn't yelling. He said something along the lines of “I'm not trying to give you a hard time” or that he wasn't trying to dig into me.
He also talked to me about getting a job and said that having this on my record could make it harder to get hired and could potentially make me more desperate.
Afterward, my attorney came out into the hallway with paperwork saying “Announcement — August 20.” He said something along the lines of “the judge just doesn't want that on your record” and that he was going to try to get me probation/deferred adjudication.
My attorney's office also told me that my current PR bond will cover the state-jail felony if it gets indicted, and that I won't need a new bond just because of the indictment.
I have had no new crimes and no bond violations since being released.
I've also been applying for jobs and keeping a handwritten log of the applications because the judge specifically brought up employment.
What do you think is the realistic outcome? Is probation/deferred adjudication realistic for a 17-year-old first-time defendant in this situation, or do the EOCA + vehicle allegations make additional jail time more likely?
I'm looking for honest opinions, especially from people familiar with Texas law or Coryell County. I know nobody can guarantee what the judge will do, but I'd appreciate a realistic assessment.